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General => Free Speech => Topic started by: Koshdukai on January 23, 2014, 12:55:03 pm

Title: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: Koshdukai on January 23, 2014, 12:55:03 pm
Guess the word (and picture) is out :)

http://www.ageofaudio.com/en/news/namm-2014-arturia-beatstep

(http://www.ageofaudio.com/wp-content/uploads//2014/01/Arturia-BeatStep-Age-of-Audio2-1024x416.jpg)

Quote
SPECIFICATIONS:
> MIDI controller Mode – RED LED MODE
> Step Sequencer mode – BLUE LED MODE
> 16 velocity and pressure sensitive pads
> 16 encoders
> 16 MIDI Controller presets
> 16 Sequence presets
> Works with MIDI Control Center Editor
> Internal and External clocking
> CV outputs (1V per octave)
> USB I/O
> MIDI output
> iPAD compatibility (using camera connection kit)
> Transports can send MIDI CC or MMC
> Kensington Lock
> Standalone MIDI or CV operation when powered via standard
USB power adaptor
> USB Class compliant (no drivers)

Now the question is: Will it also come in black, to pair it with the MiniBrute? ;)
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: Koshdukai on January 23, 2014, 02:47:16 pm
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/namm-2014/900549-namm-arturia-announces-beatstep-sequencer-controller.html

(http://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/namm-2014/381477d1390482924-namm-arturia-announces-beatstep-sequencer-controller-beatstep_111813.perspective-copy.jpg)
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: TonyFlyingSquirrel on January 23, 2014, 05:34:32 pm
Perhaps before adding new products, adding a telephone line for customer support would be appropriate, for the existing products.
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: tomazzzi on January 23, 2014, 08:31:07 pm
Franchement la je vous tire mon chapeau !!

Une truc comme ca avec le CV gate c'est le rêve !

Ca sort quand ?
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: andyr1960 on January 24, 2014, 09:27:11 am
I can't wait for this  :) I'll have a couple of them!

I'm intrigued about the Gate output voltage (They show an ARP2600 which needs a 10v Gate/Trigger). Presumably the output of the Beatstep is 5v? Maybe not?

Programmable NRPN data too!
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: zsquaredplusc on January 24, 2014, 12:16:09 pm
Is there any way to tie/slide notes together using Beatstep . Without tie/slide being implemented on the Microbrute sequencer this would be a fantastic addition and worth the purchase alone. I noticed with the midi control center there is an option for legato on/off, how does this work in regards to the Beatstep ?
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: Koshdukai on January 24, 2014, 12:36:15 pm
Is there any way to tie/slide notes together using Beatstep . Without tie/slide being implemented on the Microbrute sequencer this would be a fantastic addition and worth the purchase alone. I noticed with the midi control center there is an option for legato on/off, how does this work in regards to the Beatstep ?
I do hope that the final firmware specs and feature set isn't closed yet and Arturia will be able to add a few extras in the Sequencer, like that tie/slide and/or step duration (maybe Shift+Knobs?) and MIDI-In based transpose (pity there's no DIN MIDI-IN for this but at least from USB MIDI-IN would be nice).

Not quite sure if there's a way to get into an extra-shift mode (Shift+Ctrl/Seq?) needed to get a 3rd and 4th (w/Shift) layer of use out of the pads and knobs which would allow Pad based transpose (3rd layer) and the Tie/Slide (4th layer).

All we can do really is wait, while suggesting these killer features on such a "tiny" and affordable controller :)
(hopefully, some of these features may already be in there or on their to-do list).
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: rbocquier on January 24, 2014, 01:51:58 pm
Quote
MIDI-In based transpose
This is implemented right now.

Quote
step duration
Whole step duration can be 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and 1/32.

Maybe are you speaking about gate time?
It's settable for the whole pattern using Midi Control Center. Some ways to set it locally are investigated.
Maybe are you speaking of gate time per step?
This is currently not considered.
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: Koshdukai on January 24, 2014, 01:57:55 pm
Quote
MIDI-In based transpose
This is implemented right now.
Cool :)

Quote
step duration
Whole step duration can be 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and 1/32.

Maybe are you speaking about gate time?
It's settable for the whole pattern using Midi Control Center. Some ways to set it locally are investigated.
Maybe are you speaking of gate time per step?
This is currently not considered.
Yes, I meant Step Gate Duration, so indeed I was referring to Gate time per Step :)
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: zsquaredplusc on January 24, 2014, 01:59:39 pm
Is the ability to tie notes together implemented, I've asked in a few places and don't seem to be able to get an answer, though I have noticed a legato setting on/off option on the software I'm not certain of how it works. Can you elaborate on this please.
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: rbocquier on January 24, 2014, 02:41:36 pm
There is no tie to date.
The legato is a whole sequence parameter that can take three values:

Legato on used with a mono synth can give the illusion of tie when successive notes are the same.
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: Koshdukai on January 24, 2014, 02:44:23 pm
...also, I do hope that the 6 function buttons do send out SysEx, at least while in CNTRL mode, the most critical of them all would be the Shift button to send something out, Press/Release status would be nice.

This is crucial to expand the uses of the controller when connected to script driven DAWs, like Reason and its very flexible Remote technology, which is as flexible and powerful as the controller allows it to be.

To this day I still wish that the FACTORY 32 shift key could either send its status out through SysEx or send Press/Release info and allow to be set as momentary instead of toggle also through SysEx, so external scripting would double the use of the knobs and faders (like it's possible to do through Reason's Remote)

I know it's too late for that controller but I really hope that it's not too late for the BeatStep to be extra useful as a Reason controller :)
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: bilbo909 on January 25, 2014, 01:55:35 am
two questions i have are: 1) can you sequence multiple sequences at the same time? ie. a drum pattern?  I'd really like to use this as a drum sequencer as well.  would it be a feature you could implement in future firmware upgrades?  2) i noticed no midi input so the BeatStep would have to be the master clock if you wanted to use it in sequence mode or use a computer?  could anyone confirm that?  cheers.
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: KRS on January 26, 2014, 05:11:02 pm
Is it possible to shorten the length of the sequences, or to skip certain steps completely? Haven't seen this in the demo or feature list. Since not everyone sticks to 4/4 rhythms, I really hope this will be implemented in the final software!
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: lhbts on January 26, 2014, 06:00:36 pm
This looks very promising! I preordered one :). Anyone know if there will be way to way to extend patterns to like a 32 step sequencer and 64? I think it could be a great feature.
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: mute on January 27, 2014, 06:51:33 am
can you chain them in standalone mode so if you have 2 or more, one can act as master and sync/start/stop the others? if so, optional pattern select follow? i'm presuming no, but that mini proprietary midi port could also possibly act as something else..
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: rbocquier on January 27, 2014, 10:14:20 am
well no, the MIDI port is just a MIDI out
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: Benjamin AM on January 29, 2014, 01:27:12 pm
Is it possible to shorten the length of the sequences, or to skip certain steps completely? Haven't seen this in the demo or feature list. Since not everyone sticks to 4/4 rhythms, I really hope this will be implemented in the final software!
I was thinking the same thing. I would also like to see the ability to adjust the amount of steps and a tap tempo.
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: zedius on January 29, 2014, 06:15:46 pm
Quote
MIDI-In based transpose
This is implemented right now.

I haven't seen this referenced in any of the videos or anywhere else. Are you saying you know that you will be able to transpose the sequence by hitting notes on a keyboard?

So if your sequence is C-D#-F-G you can play it by hitting a C on a midi keyboard, but if you hit an F that would transpose the sequece to F-G#-A#-C?
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: ghunter on January 29, 2014, 07:50:29 pm
Is the ability to tie notes together implemented, I've asked in a few places and don't seem to be able to get an answer, though I have noticed a legato setting on/off option on the software I'm not certain of how it works. Can you elaborate on this please.

If this feature gets implemented I will definitely buy one.

Any word if this will be compatible with spark?
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: paulshillito on January 31, 2014, 11:29:49 am
Have seen the demos of the Beatstep it initially looks  interesting but then as Glen goes through showing it there seems to be no mention of things like changing the start and end points for the loop, gate length etc., somethings which is really useful and I would have thought would be really easy to implement in software but maybe they have run out of key allocations to quickly set it up like the scale changes etc. Its a pity as Glenn is a hardware analogue guy and I would have thought that he might have been able to squeeze in a couple more buttons that would have allowed for many more functions present in sequencers like the Doepfer Dark Time.

I know its a general purpose controller and has to hit price points, just a missed opportunity to get some of the wonders of true hands on sequencing out to a wider audience, still might buy one though  ;)
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: FiltroAnalogico on February 05, 2014, 11:32:37 am
I definitely agree: among other things – like changing the start and end points for the loop, gate length, CC programming with no need of pc just including a cheap 3-digits/7-segment LCD (ref. Behringer BCF/BCR), etc – the lack of MIDI in is the greatest missed opportunity to hit the market with a perfect STAND-ALONE companion for any desktop analogue synth (not only to integrate MBs but, e.g., also to control gear like the Dark Energy, instead of a much more expensive Dark Time, that – being analogue – cannot provide memories, scale quantizing, random play, etc).

I still believe I would like to have the BeatStep integrated in my live setup, so now I wonder if the ‘Kenton MIDI USB Host’ would make possible to feed the BeatStep with an external MIDI clock via the usb port and have it synched to another master-machine.
http://www.kentonuk.com/products/items/utilities/usb-host.shtml
I know this basically doubles the price (and does not properly make sense), but I’d like to have the confirmation from Arturia staff that, at least, this could be an option …

Robert?  :)

Thank you!
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: KRS on February 06, 2014, 07:24:37 pm
..instead of a much more expensive Dark Time, that – being analogue – cannot provide memories, scale quantizing, random play, etc).

The dark time can provide scale quantizing as well as random play. Memory not, though.
..Just to do the dark time justice. It's also a great and very inspiring sequencer!
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: isakeit on February 07, 2014, 12:30:49 am
and another question from me before the production is even available ;-)

in combination with the microbrute, would the microbrute "record" the steps that are not played (left out/muted)?
i suppose with the cv/gate connection the MB does not record it
BUT
it would be great if via the usb-midi connection from the beatstep to the computer
the beatstep ouputs the cc value for pause.

this way one could route the usb-midi through e.g. ableton live for the microbrute to record
and also store the beatstep patterns on the microbrute.

thanks for considering
and for making such great products
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: warmdata on February 07, 2014, 03:23:25 pm
I asked this on CDM but this would be the perfect tool for me if it worked with my Yamaha CS synth - looking at the spec page it looks like this will not be possible (see below).

Could someone from Arturia give an official yes or no on whether Beatstep would support Hz per volt CV synths like the Yamaha CS series or Korg MS-20? And if not now, is this something that might be added in the future? Thanks.

More info on CV voltages: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/mar95/midi2cvconverters.html

CV/GATE

BeatStep has a standard 1 volt per octave CV  output as well as a standard 1 volt per octave GATE output. You can directly interface them with our famous MiniBrute or MicroBrute synthesizers. Combining Beatstep's step sequencing capabilities with a modular synth allows for all kinds of hands on control and pattern generation.
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: Zirds on February 12, 2014, 06:55:04 pm
One Question: BeatStep will be compatible with Spark VST or AnalogLab?
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: KRS on March 27, 2014, 11:06:47 am
Hello Arturia Team,

I wonder whether it's possible or not to transpose the sequences via usb? I know it's possible to transpose them by using shift + rate-knob, but for some purposes it's necessary to be able to transpose sequences to any note you want.

May I ask, why the BeatStep has no Midi- or at least trigger-input for transposing, syncing, etc. ? One of the earlier pictures released showed a prototype of the BS having one more connector on the side. I doesn't seem to be a long shot to suggest that you wanted to add an additional input but discarded the idea for some reason.

The missing input really is a pity! Is there any hope an upcoming software update will allow the midi output to work as an input?


Thanks in advance for your attention and time,
Chris
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: dyears on March 27, 2014, 08:06:42 pm
Will the Beatsteps sequencer (combined with the Minibrute) work the same way as the SE or Microbrute sequencer? Will you be able to write and then transpose the sequences via the Minibrute keyboard?

As someone else on another forum asked...
Will you be able to program C-D#-F-G (on Minibrute) , play it by hitting a C , but if you hit an F that would that transpose the sequence to F-G#-A#-C?
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: rbocquier on March 28, 2014, 11:51:37 am
Hello Chris,

It's indeed possible to transpose the sequence using MIDI note messages sent over USB.

For your second question, we never planned to have MIDI IN on BeatStep.
The extra connector you saw was an external power supply, before we decided providing power thru the usual USB connector was enough.

Last but not least, MIDI hardware is quite asymmetric, you can't reprogram an output to be an input. BTW MIDI input is slightly more expensive than output (an opto-coupler is required), this is why we didn't included it.
Title: Re: NAMM 2014: Arturia BeatStep
Post by: rbocquier on March 28, 2014, 11:56:26 am
Hello dyears,

What you want is possible but not because of BeatStep doing the transpose. It's the MiniBrute/MicroBrute that will transpose the incoming BeatStep sequence according to notes played.
But the end result is the same, and this is indeed what you want.